Double eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial surgeries in Asian patients. Changing a monolid to one that has two distinct eye areas by making a distinct crease creates a more appealing eyelid shape. It is not done with the attempt to make a Western eye appearance but to give the Eastern eyelid a better and more defined shape.
There are many techniques in double eyelid surgery so it can be confusing to patients. But they fundamentally can be divided into non-incisional (suture only), limited incisional (three to five small incisions) or a full incisional approach. Each double eyelid surgery has its advantages and advocates. But it is generally agreed that the incisional technique is the most reliable method of achieving a consistent and permanent eyelid crease.
Patents who consider undergoing double eyelid surgery can expect some temporary swelling and bruising after surgery. That is particularly with the complete incisional method technique. Since the eyes are such a focal point of human interaction, prospective patients can anticipate that it will take several weeks for most of the swelling and bruising to resolve and they can look non-surgical in appearance. This is an example of a young female who is one week after double eyelid surgery with epicanthoplasties. She will look normal in a few more weeks.
Patients for double eyelid surgery should anticipate that it will take nearly a full month after surgery to have a full recovery. And six weeks until the eyelids relax and look natural. While the full incisional technique takes longer to recover, its more consistent and defined upper eyelid creases make it worthwhile in most cases.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana